Automobile ornament



1958 G. W. WALZER AUTOMOBILE ORNAMENT Filed July 30, 1956 IN V EN TOR.

, Ganges W. WALZER MW A'rroam zv United States Patent 2,849,601 AUTOMOBILE ORNAMENT George W. Walzer, Troy Center, Wis.

Application July 30, 1956, Serial No. 600,948

4 Claims. (Cl. 24052.=2)

This invention relates to a readily mounted ornament for automobiles. The device is fixed to the exterior of the car by means of a suction cup and is provided with a light source which will illuminate the ornament from within. The device is so made that the ornament portion can be readily changed.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple, low-cost, illuminated ornament which can be readily mounted on or removed from automobiles without damage to or alteration of the automobile.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in, or be apparent from, the specification and claims, as will obvious modifications of the two embodiments shown in the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section through one form of the present device;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the manner of assembling the parts;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the base portion;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing both types of suction cup mountings; and

Fig. 5 shows the second construction of the suction cup to permit fixing the device on the relatively sharp rear fenders found on many modern cars.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Fig. 4 shows how the device of Figs. 1 to 3 can be mounted on the rear deck of a car by means of the suction cup portion of base 12. The base also includes a tubular neck portion 14 in which the lamp socket assembly 16 is mounted. This assembly includes a bayonet type socket 18 mounted in base 20 of the socket adapter having a tubular Wall 22 With a peripheral flange 24 received in a cooperating slot in the inside of the beaded rim26 of neck 14. The outside diameter of the adapter wall 22 should be greater than the diameter of bulb 28 so the mounting sleeve 30 of ornament 32 can pass over the bulb. This sleeve fits snugly on the adapter and butts against the rim 26 so the v pass into the trunk of the car past the usual joints or seals between the car body and trunk lid. Inside the trunk the wiringrto the tail lights is generally exposed and provides a point for simple connection to the auto wiring.

Many modern cars have rather sharply curved rear fenders which would preclude mounting the present device. With this in mind I provide a suction cup formed as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 to fit over the sharp curve of the fender 38 to permit mountingon the fender. The form is such that the cup has a definite elliptical plan with major and minor axes and has a pro-formed curvature on the major axis. The other structure is identical with that previously described.

The ornament is preferably of translucent plastic and can take many forms other than the Christmas tree shown. The user could purchase different ornaments for the various seasons or holidays or to show fraternal afiiliations etc.

Although but two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automobile device comprising, a rubber base including a neck portion having a beaded rim and a suction cup for mounting on a surface of an automobile, a socket adapter having a tubular wall and a peripheral flange received in a cooperating slot in the inside of said beaded rim, a lamp socket mounted in said lamp adapter and having wires leading therefrom through the wall of the base for connection to the electrical system of the auto, a lamp in said socket, and a translucent ornament having a sleeve portion telescopically interfitted with said tubular wall and secured thereto.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the interior diameter of said sleeve portion is greater than the maximum diameter of the bulb for which the socket is adapted.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which the sleeve portion butts against said beaded rim of the base and is secured to said tubular wall of the adapter by means of screws.

4. A device according to claim 1 in which the suction cup is formed to mount on a sharply curved surface, the cup being generally elliptical in plan view and having a preformed curvature along its major axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cleburne Apr. 24, 1934 Wolper Apr. 13, 1954 

